Get 'Duplicity'

Tuesday

Aug 25, 2009 at 12:01 AM

By Lou Gaul, Calkins Media Film Critic

Here’s a sobering fact for superstars everywhere.

When Julia Roberts took a three-year sabbatical to spend time with her 4-year-old twins, 18-month-old and husband, cameraman Danny Moder, she assumed that her fans would be excited to see her back on screen. The producers obviously agreed and paid her a cool $20 million for “Duplicity,” her first major project in 36 months.

The superstar, who built her career on feel-good hits such as “Pretty Woman,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Notting Hill” and won an Oscar for the fact-based drama “Erin Brockovich,” did some minor work during her time off. That included a cameo in “Ocean’s Twelve,” voiceover duties in “Charlotte’s Web,” and a supporting part opposite Tom Hanks in “Charlie Wilson’s War.”

When her glossy caper picture, “Duplicity,” opened in March, Hollywood insiders expected fans to give Roberts a warm welcome. Instead, they gave her the cold shoulder.

The film grossed just $40.5 million in the U.S. and Canada, and between that return and the deteriorating state of the economy, Roberts’ star power dimmed.

A better fate may await “Duplicity” (Universal; $29.99, DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) in the home market. Perhaps her fans will be interested in seeing Roberts team with British favorite Clive Owen (“The International”) from the comfort of their sofas, and the rewind function will allow viewers who miss some of the numerous plot reversals to go back and watch them again.

“Duplicity” features snappy lines, romantic interludes and comedic moments in a story about two former spies using their skills in corporate espionage. The PG-13 picture, written and directed by Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”), invites viewers to just sit back, watch two attractive stars, savor the foreign locations, and let the words wash over them.

Those willing to do that may be more than satisfied.

Now Playing!

The following DVD titles recently landed at a video store near you.

If your local outlet doesn’t stock them, the DVD offerings can be mail-ordered by calling 800-523-0823 or going to the Web site moviesunlimited.com or amazon.com, unless otherwise noted.

“Adventureland” (Miramax; $29.99, DVD; $44.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Kristen Stewart and Ryan Reynolds in a bittersweet coming-of-age tale about a meek guy whose world changes after he takes a job at a Pittsburgh amusement park.

“Children of the Corn” (Anchor Bay; $29.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Linda Hamilton (“The Terminator”) and Peter Horton (TV’s “thirtysomething”) in a high-definition version of the R-rated chiller based on Stephen King’s story about children who worship a mysterious cornfield deity. The extras include a featurette (“It Was the Eighties!”) with Hamilton talking about the movie, a making-of featurette (“Harvesting Horror”), and the original theatrical trailer.

“Fighting” (Universal; $29.99, DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Channing Tatum (“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”) and Terrence Howard (“Iron Man”) in an action tale about underground street battles. It will be available in unrated and PG-13 versions.

“Goodbye Solo” (Lionsgate; $27.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with Souleymane Sy Savane and Red West in an unrated slice-of-life tale about an unlikely friendship between a Senegalese cab driver hoping to make a better life for his family and an old Southern man whose life is filled with regret.

“Merlin and the Book of Beasts” (Anchor Bay; $19.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”) in a Sci-Fi Channel movie about a medieval sorcerer who unleashes a reign of terror upon the land.

“Rudo Y Cursi” (Sony; $28.99, DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Gael Garcia Bernal (“Babel”) and Diego Luna (“Milk”) in an R-rated Spanish import about two brothers who play soccer and are noticed by a professional player who can take only one of them to try out for his team.

“Sunshine Cleaning” (Anchor Bay; $29.99, DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Amy Adams (“Julie & Julia”) and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) in an R-rated sleeper hit about two very different sisters. They decide to escape financial ruin by going into the business of scrubbing away the blood at crime scenes.

“Surveillance” (Magnolia; $26.99, DVD; $34.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall”) and Bill Pullman (“Independence Day”) in a grisly thriller about a couple of FBI agents who arrive in a remote area to question three witnesses who have survived attacks by two serial killers and offer very different accounts of what happened. The intense R-rated picture, which played at the Philadelphia Film Festival, was directed by David Lynch’s talented daughter, Jennifer (“Boxing Helena”).

Comedy

“Martin Lawrence Presents First Amendment Stand-Up: Season 3” (Starz Entertainment; $19.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with the comic actor displaying the work of stand-up talents such as Rickey Smiley, Lavell Crawford and Joey Medina.

Television

“Californication: The Second Season” (Showtime; $42.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with David Duchovny (“The X-Files”) in a two-disc set with all 12 episodes from the sophomore year of the cable series about a writer dealing with multiple addictions while raising his loving daughter. The extras include an interview with Duchovny and other cast members.

“Crash: The Complete First Season” (Starz Entertainment; $59.99, DVD; $79.99, Blu-ray Disc; Aug. 25) with Dennis Hopper (“Speed”) in the Starz Original series based on writer-director Paul Haggis’ Oscar-winning film about the sometimes negative encounters between people of different races living in modern-day Los Angeles.

“The Mama Cass Television Program” (Infinity; $14.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with the Mamas and the Papas singer hosting Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian, Mary Travers and more in a long-lost pilot for a TV variety series that aired as a 1969 ABC special.

“NCIS: The Sixth Season” (CBS; $64.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with Mark Harmon and Lauren Holly in a six-disc set with all episodes from the sixth year of the series about military investigators.

“Samantha Who?: The Complete Second Season” (Disney; $39.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with Christina Applegate in a sitcom about a young woman who gets a second chance at life.

“Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season” (Warner; $59.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with Tom Welling and Allison Mack in a six-disc set with all 22 episodes from the eighth year of the series about a young Clark Kent. The extras include unaired scenes, cast and crew commentaries, and several making-of featurettes.

“Thirtysomething: The Complete First Season” (Shout! Factory; $59.99, DVD; Aug. 25) with Timothy Busfield (“Field of Dreams”), Melanie Mayron (“Missing”) and Patricia Wettig (TV’s “Brothers & Sisters”) in a six-disc set that contains all 21 original episodes from the hit series about the lives of young adults and their families. Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick created the series, which ran from 1984 through 1991. The extras include a documentary (“From thirtysomething to Forever”), a conversation between Herskovitz and Zwick, and cast and crew commentaries.